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Naveed Arif Gondal has been banned from cricket for life after he admitted to six breaches of the England & Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.

Expert View: Thomas Barnard, sports solicitor, Thomas Eggar LLP

"Short of fining Mr Arif, the ECB has handed down the most serious sanction available. Article 6.2 of the Code, which sets out the sanctions available for a corruption offence, states that Mr Arif would have been liable to a minimum of a 5 year ban but also provides the ECB with discretion to impose a fine too.

"The lifetime ban will be seen by many as significant enough to make other players think twice before they get involved in match fixing activities, without the ECB fining Mr Arif too.

"Mr Arif’s ban also has implications for clubs, as well as players. Clubs (and international cricket federations alike) need to ensure that their players are well briefed as to the applicable rules and the ways in which approaches by those wanting to fix matches are made.

"If they haven’t already, clubs should put in place an education program and make sure that they have appropriate procedures in place both to investigate concerns and allow players to air concerns."

He committed the offences while playing for Sussex in a 40-over game against Kent in August 2011.

He admitted to six breaches relating to corrupt activity in relation to that match via tape-recorded interviews with the ECB's anti-corruption unit as well as signed statements.

The life ban was handed to Arif in accordance with the provisions of the ECB's Anti-Corruption Code, which Arif has accepted.

Under the terms of the life ban the 32-year-old former Pakistan 'A' seam bowler will not be allowed to play, coach or participate in any form of the game sanctioned by the ECB, International Cricket Council (ICC) or other national governing body.

After he was charged by the ECB, a temporary suspension was imposed on Arif, prior to which he had been playing for Little Stoke in the North Staffordshire and Cheshire League.

"Today’s announcement sends out a very clear message that ECB has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket and that it will root out and punish those who pose a threat to the game’s integrity," ECB Chief Executive David Collier said.

"We thank the anti-corruption team for their work in bringing this case and trust that it will serve as a stark reminder to all players of the dangers that corrupt activities pose to their careers and livelihoods."